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Artwork for Essential Questions

Essential Questions with Rabbi Dan Levin

Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
Cognitive Dissonance
Judaism
Reform Judaism
Confirmation Bias
Identity-Protective Cognition
Social Justice
Torah
Jewish Learning
Love
Israel
Empathy
Shame
Black and White Thinking
Mental Illness
Halacha
Hate
Spiritual Parenting
High Holy Days
Rabbinic Leadership
Existential Purpose

Each episode of Essential Questions with Rabbi Dan Levin will pose an essential question and invite a conversation with remarkable people in the Jewish world and in our community to consider what those questions and answers mean.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes44Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityJudaism

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Artwork for Essential Questions

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin sits down with Rabbis Ashira Boxman and Laila Haas for a conversation about preparing for the High Holy Days when their hearts feel heavy. Together, they reflect on how they enter the new year w... more

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In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Gayle Weiswasser—book blogger, podcast host, and bookstore owner—about the deep connections between literature and Jewish identity. Together, they explore how stories can cultivate e... more

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What is it like navigating Jewish identity on a college campus in 2025? Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Maya Harpaz, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, Rabbi Jonah Zinn of University of Florida Hillel, and Rabbi Andrea Steinberger of University ... more

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin sits down with artists Bonnie Cohen and Zachary Oxman, whose works Birkat HaLev and Soaring Wisdom are featured at Temple Beth El’s Schaefer Family Campus. They explore their creative paths, the... more

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Recent Guests

Rabbi Nir Barkin
Senior Rabbi at Kehillat Yozma, former IDF intelligence officer, musician, and novelist.
Kehillat Yozma
Episode: What Does the Reform Movement Contribute to the State of Israel? with Rabbi Nir Barkin and Rabbi David Azoulay of Kehillat YOZMA
Rabbi David Azoulay
Assistant Rabbi at Kehillat Yozma, ordained from Hebrew Union College.
Kehillat Yozma
Episode: What Does the Reform Movement Contribute to the State of Israel? with Rabbi Nir Barkin and Rabbi David Azoulay of Kehillat YOZMA
Amanda Berman
Founder and Executive Director of Zioness, civil rights attorney
Zioness
Episode: What Does it Mean to be a Progressive Zionist? with Amanda Berman, CEO of Zioness
Michelle Auslander Cohen
Cantorial Soloist at Temple Beth El, a singer with a background in opera and Jewish music.
Temple Beth El
Episode: How Do I Prepare for the High Holy Days? with Cantorial Soloist Michelle Auslander Cohen and Cantor Jake Harris
Cantor Jake Harris
Cantor at Temple Beth El, guitar player, and music educator with a background in liturgical music.
Temple Beth El
Episode: How Do I Prepare for the High Holy Days? with Cantorial Soloist Michelle Auslander Cohen and Cantor Jake Harris
Dasee Berkowitz
Jewish educator, facilitator, and founder of Iyekas, Becoming a Soulful Parent.
Iyekas
Episode: How Do You Parent From a Spiritual Place? with Dasee Berkowitz and Rabbi Amy Pessah
Rabbi Amy Pessah
Author of 'Parenting on a Prayer', a Jewish educator for 30 years.
Olive, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal
Episode: How Do You Parent From a Spiritual Place? with Dasee Berkowitz and Rabbi Amy Pessah
Rabbi Shai Held
Philosopher, theologian, and Bible scholar, co-founder of Michon Hadar
Michon Hadar
Episode: What is Love All About? with Rabbi Shai Held
Rabbi Dr. Mark Washofsky
Distinguished ethicist of the Reform Movement and professor of Jewish Law and Practice.
Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion
Episode: What Do I Have to Do? with Rabbi Dr. Mark Washofsky

Host

Rabbi Dan Levin
Host of Essential Questions, engaged in profound discussions reflecting on Jewish tradition and contemporary issues.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 41 ratings
  • A must listen!

    Thank you Rabbi Dan and all the TBE podcast team for a meaningful, substantive, and thought-provoking initial season of Essential Questions! I have so enjoyed listening weekly and learned something new from each and every conversation and reflection. Looking forward to the summer, bonus episodes, and season two in the fall. A must listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emily&Richard
    United States2 years ago
  • I finally have Rabbi Dan in my head!!

    Been waiting for the day when Rabbi Dan would start a podcast- and it did not disappoint. Grateful for these conversations full of wisdom and hope. Give it a listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    romiroch
    United States2 years ago
  • Thirst for more knowledge. We all can use it.

    Thank you for your wisdom and insight. How fortunate we are to have such a caring Clergy, administrative staff, Board and warm congregation. Your leadership is so very responsive to the needs of the congregation in the community.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Queen City transplant
    United States2 years ago
  • Podcast we need!

    Rabbi Dan Levin is one of the greatest minds out there, and to hear him interact with others to delve into these essential questions is a treat and a joy and inspires deeper thinking.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lou&Raewouldkvell
    United States2 years ago
  • Essential Questions with Rabbi Dan Levin

    Rabbi Dan Levin is a brilliant scholar and wise and caring rabbi. Having the opportunity to learn from him and his guests in the convenient setting of this podcast is a gift.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BocaSusan
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the podcast for its thoughtful and meaningful conversations that stimulate personal reflection and community engagement.
Many appreciate Rabbi Dan Levin's ability to connect complex ideas to accessible discussions, making spirituality relatable and engaging.
The podcast is noted for its high-quality guests, adding depth and substance to each episode, reinforcing its role as a valuable resource for exploring essential questions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Should Rabbis Meet the Moment? with Rabbi Greg Weisman and Rabbi Laila Haas
Q: What is the role a rabbi should play in this moment?
The discussion centers on providing authentic presence, creating safe spaces for community, and engaging in meaningful dialogue.
What Does the Reform Movement Contribute to the State of Israel? with Rabbi Nir Barkin and Rabbi David Azoulay of Kehillat YOZMA
Q: What were the six projects that Yozma took on after the attacks?
We focused on supporting bereaved families, providing aid to soldiers, and enhancing community security.
What Does the Reform Movement Contribute to the State of Israel? with Rabbi Nir Barkin and Rabbi David Azoulay of Kehillat YOZMA
Q: What is it that we are able to do as Reform Jews in Israel that can't be done really by anyone else?
We provide a unique pathway to modern and meaningful Jewish expression that accommodates both tradition and modern life.
How Can We Support LGBTQ+ Individuals to Explore and Express their Most Authentic Selves? with Tracey Labgold
Q: How can we create safe spaces in our community for LGBTQ+ individuals?
We need to create an accepting environment by using appropriate language, ensuring representation, and demonstrating love and support for everyone.
How Can We Support LGBTQ+ Individuals to Explore and Express their Most Authentic Selves? with Tracey Labgold
Q: Can you help us unpack the LGBTQ+ acronym?
The acronym LGBTQ+ includes terms for various sexual orientations and gender identities, emphasizing that the 'plus' acknowledges additional identities beyond these five letters.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Essential Questions

What is Essential Questions about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations in this series focus predominantly on themes related to Judaism, spirituality, social justice, and community dynamics. Noteworthy discussions explore the evolving role of rabbis in contemporary society, the complexities of progressive Zionism, and the significance of spiritual parenting. Engaging dialogues with a diverse range of guests highlight the intersection of Jewish tradition with pressing social issues, showcasing the importance of inclusivity and understanding within the Jewish community. This unique approach invites listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and the essential questions that shape their lives.

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How many subscribers and views does Essential Questions have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Essential Questions has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Essential Questions?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Essential Questions:

1. Honestly with Bari Weiss
2. Up First from NPR
3. Identity/Crisis
4. Chutzpod!
5. Freakonomics Radio

How many episodes of Essential Questions are there?

Essential Questions launched 2 years ago and published 44 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Essential Questions?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Essential Questions?

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What guests have appeared on Essential Questions?

Recent guests on Essential Questions include:

1. Rabbi Nir Barkin
2. Rabbi David Azoulay
3. Amanda Berman
4. Michelle Auslander Cohen
5. Cantor Jake Harris
6. Dasee Berkowitz
7. Rabbi Amy Pessah
8. Rabbi Shai Held

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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